ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is setting aside $1.4 million to study and promote a growing part of the state’s agricultural economy: specialty crops like hops, wine grapes, sweet corn and onions.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the grants Friday. The funds will go to university researchers studying crop diseases and pests and farming techniques and to groups promoting farm products.
Cuomo noted that hops, wine grapes and apples are key ingredients in the state’s growing craft beer, wine and cider industries.
More than a dozen individual projects are receiving grants. The largest single award is a $224,000 grant to the state’s Department of Agriculture and markets for a food safety program for farmers.
